Japanese tops Subic triathlon; Huelgas disappointed with finish

SUBIC BAY—Filipina runner Marion Kim Mangrobang checked in fifth in women’s division while John Chicano finished 13th in men’s in the NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon Sunday here.

The country’s top bets, running for the right to represent the country in the coming Southeast Asian Games, weathered the strong showing of a big foreign field in the meet’s 24th staging.

Mangrobang was fourth out of water which worried her camp as swimming was her strongest suit. The Laguna lass, silver medalist in the Singapore SEAG two years ago, was third in the second transition near Remy field.

“I had a rough start but I’m happy with the finish, in the cycling stage I tried to catch up with the second group and then poured it all in running stage,” said Mangrobang.

Chicano was tagging along three other Filipinos including Mark Hosana but said the foreign competitors were too strong.

Ryousuke Maeda of Japan topped the elite men, while Korea’s Kim Ji-hwan finished close second.

Another Japanese Kotaro Watanabe was third in the standard 1.5 kilometer swim, 40k bike and 10k run through the scenic, hilly and coastal roads of this former American naval base.

Yan Yin Hilda Choi of Hong Kong ruled the women’s division, tagging along Fumika Matsumoto and Chika Sato of Japan who clocked second and third, respectively.

Singapore SEA Games champs Nikko Huelgas and Ma. Claire Adorna finished within top 20 of their respective divisions.

Huelgas was disappointed over his performance, saying: “There was no one to blame but me, maybe  it’s my running form. I faded and slowed down. I’m not happy with my run.”

Huelgas was leading a second pack out of the water and decided to wait out for Philippine teammates in cycling to form one big chase group.

“I hope it’s not the last criteria (for the SEA Games selection) because I want to defend my title,” said Huelgas.

Adorna said she’s coming from an injury which sidelined her for months, allowing Mangrobang to snatch the No. 1 seeding in national rankings this year.

Last year’s champ Kim Mangrobang checks in 5th in women’s elite #SuBIT2017 pic.twitter.com/FmdupxTb5W

— Marc Anthony Reyes (@marcreyesINQ) April 29, 2017